It seems like such a long time since we have posted any updates to the blog. Most of fall was spent cutting down many of our beloved cedar trees that have been killed off by the drought and pine beetle blight. It is sad to see so many tall trees going. We are planning to replace many with lodge pole pines and other pine/fir trees.
Jim did finish the sauna, and we tested it out in early November. It seems to work rather well. We still have some outside lights to hang on it and we need to finish the hand rail, but other than that it is done. Our neighbors, Dave and Paula (down the hill) put us to same with the amount of work that they do on their place. This year Dave built a tree house ALA Treehouse Masters style. It is enormous. Their place has many outbuilding and is an inspiration to us.
We managed to plant an Arkansas Red Apple this fall (we are hoping it will grow at our elevation). Our old apple tree, though bent and rather ugly, gives us enough apples for a few apple pies and a few jars of apple butter each year. The very large cedar that stands next to the apple, seems to have the blight, so if it goes, perhaps our apple will straighten itself out over time and give us more apples.
We spent Thanksgiving at the lodge with our EG neighbors across the street (Art and Don). Mary Beth requested that we cook extras so that she could take some left overs home to Nor Cal. So, for 6 people, we had three pies, a 24 pound turkey, a huge amount of mashed and sweet potatoes, etc., etc.
The girls and I went over to Reno to shop on black Friday (not your typical shop since we bypassed the retail stores and went to our favorite thrift stores). We did not purchase all that much, but we had fun shopping. This is a habit I need to break. I am thinking hiking would be better next year.
Jim completed a few small projects and watched football.
Friday night it snowed and I was a bit concerned that the big storm we were expecting was coming in early. But the next morning it was raining and our family was able to get out without any hiccups. Though the sound of the snow plow was a happy reminder that winter is near.
